Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

iSolar is an innovative agricultural project that harnesses renewable energy to provide a solar-driven irrigation system, while advancing sustainable farming practices.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

iSolar is an innovative agricultural project that harnesses renewable energy to provide a solar-driven irrigation system, while advancing sustainable farming practices. iSolar seeks to equip women and other marginalized groups in farming communities with the necessary skills for smart agriculture and practical training. Nyameani, a community located in Ghana, has majority of its inhabitants dependent on farm work as the main source of livelihood. Farming is the most promising economic opportunity in the community and a fertile land for iSolar's initiative.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

In Nyameani, farmers lack an affordable source of energy for irrigation and constant flow of water. Most residents in Nyameani are farmers, making affordable source of energy for irrigation and constant flow of water necessary for their livelihood. The farmers pump water from a river source for irrigation using petrol. But the price of petrol is too costly. And the source of water dries up. This takes a big chunk of their profit and a whole season of no work bears minimal profit for the farmers.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

I-Solar presents a solar-powered irrigation system coupled with pipes. The pipes are connected to the water body for irrigation throughout the farms. The system relies on solar energy, reducing the cost incurred by the farmers. This allows farmers actualize the most out of their hard work. During the rainy season where artificial irrigation is of relatively less importance, rainwater is harvested into large tanks for future use in the dry season. The tanks have sensors that will cause them to automatically refill themselves when empty. With these features, Project I-Solar not only reduces the cost of irrigation faced by farmers in Nyameani but also secures enough water to get through the dry season all at a reduced cost. iSolar helps farmers reduce their cost during pre-harvest activities, provides farmers with water security and help farmers increase their yields and profits.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

iSolar is aimed towards smallholder farmers in Ghana and Africa who suffer from low yields, high cost of irrigation and water insecurity.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-05-01

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

4

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Emmanuella Ameevor and Victus Amanie-Adjei have headed several startup projects asEnactors in KNUST. Their gathered leadership experience makes them capable of driving this team to success. Success Baba Peters' educational financial experience makes him best suited in handling our finances forr the best results. Kelvin Obour Duah has been to several innovation events both within and outside the country, enabling him to have unique ideas in making the product better. Serwaa Frimpong has experience in engineering and hence her experience has allowed us to have more insight on how to make our product come to life. Our solar expert helped with designing our model.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/isolargh/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By providing water security and reducing costs faced by the farmers we work with, iSolar releases incomes well as helps create more as compared to periods without the use of our system. This now freed and new income allows farmers to allocate them to other necessary areas, pulling them out of poverty a harvest at a time.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

iSolar contributes to an increased harvest amongst farmers. This increases harvest improves food security.

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

iSolar includes women in both training sessions and operations of the the system. This gives equal opportunity to both males and females in the community.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The use of solar energy and not fuel to power their generators is in line with the rise of the use of cleaner and more affordable energy.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

3

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The use of solar energy eradicates the presence of harmful gases in the atmosphere from the previously used fuel powered systems.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

4

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

5

05.08 Justification

Previously, the farmers used an irrigation system powered by petrol which contributes to carbon emissions and increases their cost of production. Now with the introduction of iSolar, the cost of production is reduced by 44.44% and carbon emission is reduced by 32%. iSolar is efficient as it is able to supply a constant flow of water to 15 acres of land within 4–5 hours running on 2400 useable wattage. Also, the project's water storage to combat the dry season's water scarcity makes it stand out from the rest. Additionally,farmers use the system by paying for the service. Lastly, iSolar organises training sessions for women and marginalized groups in farming communities on farm business management and sustainable agricultural practices.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Our main potential competitor is Tele-Bere Green AgroFarms. They are functioning in the Northern Region of Ghana. What sets us apart from them is that we sell our system as a service to smallholder farmers as they can not purchase the whole system instantly. But our competitors sell the system to their customers. In essence, we are more affordable to farmers. Additionally, we offer periodic training sessions and provide water security to the farmers we work with.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Not yet